Agree with Andy. The Mk25C can have one of 3 carbs but I believe the Bantam has the Villiers Lightweight Type 3/4 carb. A single cable is offset centre to the top of the carb. Earlier Lightweight carbs on Mk25C (late 40s into the 50s) had a lever as well as a cable in the top plate but I doubt it is that model. The Villiers carbs are quite advanced and clever and are ‘compensating’ design, the mixture self-adjusts with engine speed. View it as factory-set but obviously as things get very old and worn this can get less true. Be certain that the timing is correct first before trying to adjust (5/32″ before TDC – points 0.015″). Maybe also try to ensure carb internals are clean. I have a lot of Villiers engines and the two-strokes seem to be very fussy regards spark plugs. Some modern plugs can fire but run rubbish, if at all. I recently did a test on a Mar-Vil which I know runs well. I swapped out several 18mm plugs of age and make and half don’t even start the engine. Only certain plugs like the magneto ‘power’. I don’t want to encourage more competition for the original period plugs!, as the prices are high, but the best plug for this engine is likely to be the Lodge C3. Get one and see if that solves the problem if you have a different plug. I have been paying up to £30 for NOS of these. Champion 8COM is worth a try and my Mk25C has an AC83TS plug. Also, only use old-style 2-stroke oil, modern stuff is a disaster in these engines. I have tried and end up with blue coating on everything, easy to order original Castrol XL on-line. If timing is correct and still problems, a 2-stroke should run relatively lean and should 2-stroke i.e. fire every revolution with no load, if rich it may not 2-stroke. To adjust mixture, unscrew top ring on carb, remove the throttle slide with cable. Under the top plate is the needle adjuster. clockwise weakens (lowers the needle). Only fine adjustment, quarter to max half turn at a time. Manuals say to set from ‘lost setting’ position, start with the end of the screw 2 threads (1/16th”) from top of throttle slide. If you can find one on auction sites, the book by B E Browning ‘Villiers Engine for Industrial, Agricultural and Horticultural Use’ covers M25C and the carbs. It is a rarer book than his similar books on motorcycle engines, presumably down to numbers likely to have been sold. I found one in Holland!
It should be easy enough to find a section diagram of the carb if you search for lightweight or 3/4. It is very similar to the Junior carb as well. It is possible to get different needles I believe but if it is the original carb for the engine it should be correct. I think that to change a needle size isn’t just the needle change though.
Best wishes, Ian
Hi
Does anybody know what gearbox oil I should use in my Howard bantam, could I use a modern car gearbox oil such as 75W80?
Many Thanks
Jack
Hi
I have a Howard bantam with a villiers 25c Engine, I have managed to get it started by fitting a new coil but the spark plug keeps getting wet after it’s been running, it keeps stalling on tick over. I dry the spark plug off and it starts up fine, I think it’s over fuelling. Does anybody know how to adjust the carb.
Many Thanks
Jack
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Joe , at some point in its life it’s had a change of carb , the b10 is not the original carb fitted on a Bantam. That’s not to say that it will not run or perform perfectly OK.
The correct carb for your model is an S12 , which requires the correct manifold. It’s entirely up to you if you want to keep it all original.
Andy.
Here are some photos of villiers engine on bantam hoe hope they load ok.
Hi Andy I have some photos of the bantam engine now I will try and load them this evening.
Hi I have just been given a 4stroke Howard bantam cleaned the points checked oil and fuel and away it went.My question is it has no throttle cable or lever and it looks like it’s a model that’s never had any kind of throtle.Once it started everything worked ok but no way of throttle control but it sounded pretty good.It’s a Howard barman rotary hoe model no 46572 does anyone know of this model to say that there is a bantam that’s works like this many thanks Joe.
Hi
I have just bought what I believe to be a Howard Bantam to restore (correct me if I’m wrong the plates have worn off) with a villiers 25c engine. Does anybody know what size thread and the thread type it is where the HT lead screws in?
Many Thanks
Jack
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Interested to see your comment Andy regarding the Howard Bantam, I have one waiting as always for restoration, It came with a ridger so when up and running, I will look forward to using it for my potatoe planting. Cheers Plonker
That’s a shame , I rate the F15 very highly , I have a late electronic version on one of my wide box Howard Bantams , it made a very good replacement for the completely worn out MK15 , shares the same footprint , and bolts on with no alterations needed.VERY easy starter and delivers bags of power.
Andy.
When using a merry tiller all I used to use were the two internal rotors combined with the ridger. I found that by using the rotors “backwards” it improved the traction so to speak.
I now use a Howard bantam system , which are by miles the best potato machine .
Andy.
Help required.
Howard Bantam did not run so I stripped the carb which I believe is an S12 type. The throttle cylinder was stuck so i freed this and cleaned the inside and blew out all the jets.
The villiers Mark 15 engine starts ok now but the throttle does not seem to increase the speed of the engine? The governor seems to be coming in and out (hunting) a bit too much as it just ticks over.
Is the air intake not correct or fuel intake is not right? Adjusting the mixture screw or the cable adjuster for position didn’t seem to change the engine speed either? Any ideas.
I thought I would check the contact breakers for enough spark and maybe replace the condensor which I know from past engines can cause problems.
I have undone the 13/16 nut holding the flywheel rotor on but it clamps tight again, do I use this nut to pull off the flywheel rotor? I didn’t want to strip the thread so have been reluctant to lean on it and give it too much force. Should it be that tight and will go eventually?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Steve
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Are we talking of the small engine(around 3hp) as fitted to some Howard Bantams , if so I have one laying in the shed doing nothing. I’m not overly familiar with Kohlers.
Andy.
Hello everyone
I’m new here and I need some help, I’m looking for a throttle cable for my Howard Bantam?
Hi,
I recently inherited a Howard Bantam Rotavator with a Mk15 Villiers engine.
I need someone in Nottinghamshire who can collect it from our allotment at Elston and service it and get it running. Can you suggest anyone please?
Regards,
Keith
